As the world came back into focus, Ron found himself back in Dumbledore's office; pre-destruction. Though, it didn't look quite as he remembered… There were scarcely any cabinets or whirring trinkets, and the room was arranged totally differently.

"Bloody hell" thought Ron "How far back did I go?!"

He spotted across the room a bin full of old parchment, containing a discarded copy of the Daily Prophet. He grabbed the newspaper out of the bin and unfurled it, scanning the front page for the date.

Tuesday, November 5th, 1963

"This has got to be a dream" he muttered, tugging on his red hair to try and bring himself to. No luck. It was real. The time turner hadn't taken him back 24 hours, it had taken him back 24 years! Hold on, wait… That's not right… 30… Plus… 1? Yes, 31. 31 years. Ron… Should probably have taken better care when turning the time turner. Nonetheless, he was now stranded in 1963, and in Dumbledore's office. A Dumbledore who hadn't invited him there, hadn't given him the password and would probably not take too kindly for a strange future boy trespassing in his locked office, fumbling through his rubbish… Ron didn't hang about. He jumped right onto the gargoyle's platform and briskly made his way down to the great hall. Maybe a nice mug of pumpkin juice would clear his head.

The walk from Dumbledore's office to the great hall was a surreal experience; Hogwarts had always seemed to be so ancient, Ron had assumed it had been the same forever, but seeing how different it all was just 31 years ago made him realise how dynamic the place was. There were plenty of recognisable landmarks, the odd statue here and there, a few portraits… But the students all looked different, their uniforms were so loose and baggy, and the hairstyles… Did people really think this looked good? It smelled different too. Sort of… Earthy. But like, also perfumed. Like incense. As Ron cracked open one of the vast doors to the great hall, he was relieved to find that the food still smelled as good as it did in 1994. He spotted an empty seat next to a scruffy looking redheaded boy who was reading quietly to himself and helped himself to half a dozen hash browns, three eggs, four sausages and filled the rest of the plate with bacon. Pretty modest for a breakfast, but he was in no mood for eating. Something was missing though…

"Excuse me" he said to the girl across the table from him. "Where's the pumpkin juice free?"

"It's always free. What, have you been paying for it?" she replied, confused.

"No, it's… It's pumpkin juice without… Nevermind, I'll just grab something without sugar. Hermione says I should cut down." All he could find was tea. It would have to do, as before Ron could even get the first few rinds of bacon down him the doors to the great hall were flung open. A slender blonde boy strode purposefully down the aisle between the tables, followed by two great hulking thugs of lads, all three clad in Slytherin robes.

"Weasley!" the boy proclaimed, as Ron and the boy next to him turned their heads in almost perfect synchrony "Weasley, what on earth do you think you're doing? I'm talking to you, you disgrace to the name of Wizard!"

Before Ron could retort, he noticed the boy next to him had begun to speak.

"Oh, yes, sorry, Lucius, I…" he murmured.

"Don't suppose you've found your way to doing my charms homework, have you Weaselby?"

"Well, um… Actually, I thought… As it isn't due in until Thursday…"

"Oh for goodness sake Arthur, do use your head. I need to have time to copy it out into my own handwriting! Do you have any idea what would happen if I handed in my homework in your handwriting? I could be expelled! You wouldn't want that to happen now, would you?" Lucius grabbed Arthur by the collar of his uniform, threateningly. Throughout this whole little speech Ron had been staring, slack jawed at Lucius. This was Lucius Malfoy, the same Lucius Malfoy who had tormented his family for decades, the same Lucius Malfoy who was Father to the unpleasant little grub that was Draco Malfoy, the same Lucius Malfoy who worked at the ministry with…

"And just what are you looking at, you scruffy little urchin?" Lucius turned his attention to Ron.

"Hey Lucius, look at his uniform! Looks like a hand-me-down…" one of the grunts commented, grabbing at Ron's clothes.

"Red hair… And a hand-me-down robe… He'd almost pass for a Weasley!" Lucius sneered. Turning back to Arthur as if Ron was never there he continued "So, my homework?"

"Oh, yes… Yes… I'll do it tonight, and drop it off outside the Slytherin common room first thing tomorrow morning." Arthur snivelled.

"Well, try not to make it too early, I like to sleep in on Wednesdays…" With that Lucius strode triumphantly to the Slytherin table, leaving Ron staring flabbergasted at his 14-year-old Father. After a number of minutes, Arthur eventually cottoned on.

"What?" he asked, disgruntled.

"You're Arthur Weasley" stuttered Ron

"I am indeed… Can I help you?"

Before Ron could answer, a small plump boy had grabbed Arthur by the arm.

"I say Arthur, why ever do you let those boys push you about like that?!" he asked

"Well, they're bigger than me… Or two of them are, at least."

"For goodness sake man, stand tall! Have some respect for yourself! If you let people walk all over you now, I daresay they'll be walking over you for the rest of your life!"

Arthur looked back at Ron despondently.

"Take me for example. Do you think I want to follow the same footsteps as my Father? I'm going to make something of myself!" The boy straightened his back and stuck up his nose, and it was precisely then that Ron realised who he was.

"Yeah, you're going to be the Minister for Magic!" he blurted out, thoughtlessly.

"Minister for Magic? Yes… Yes, I like that a lot… Minister Cornelius Fudge, I like the sound of that…" he muttered as he waddled off back to his own seat. Arthur went back to his food without another word to Ron, and Ron continued to eat. Maybe things would make sense if he had a bit more food down him.